NBC BROADCAST TOPPED ABC BY 1.4 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS ON DAY NEW POPE WAS CHOSEN

MARCH 19, 2013 – “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” was the most-watched network evening newscast for the week ending March 15, 2013, according to Nielsen Media Research data. The NBC broadcast averaged 8.069 million total viewers, +876,000 more than ABC “World News,” and +1,666,000 more than CBS “Evening News.”

On Tuesday, the first day of the papal conclave, the NBC broadcast outdelivered ABC by 1.2 million total viewers and CBS by 1.4 million. On Wednesday, the day Pope Francis was elected by the cardinals, NBC topped ABC by 1.4 million total viewers and CBS by 1.7 million.

NOTE: This is the first week of Daylight Savings Time, when viewing levels historically decrease.
“NBC Nightly News” Weekly Highlights:

Nightly delivered 8.069 million total viewers, +12% (+876,000) more than ABC World News’ 7.193 million and +26% (+1,666,000) more than CBS Evening News’ 6.403 million.

Patrick Burkey is the executive producer of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams." For more news and information, go to www.nbcnightlynews.com, Facebook.com/NBCNightlyNews, or follow on Twitter @nbcnightlynews.